The death of Chris Cornell struck me particularly hard. Understand, I was never a big fan of Soundgarden. I liked some of their tunes but they didn’t resonate with me the way their contemporaries like Pearl Jam or Nirvana did. It wasn’t because I was a big fan of the man that made the news so difficult to hear. It was because he committed suicide and we are about the same age, Chris was 52, I am 51.

I was so sad because I can only guess that he was a tormented man, likely deeply depressed. I was so sad because many men at my age, myself included, think we can just soldier on through it all. We go to work, do what we need to do, fulfill our commitments, continue to create or connect, convincing ourselves and others around us that all is okay in our world.

When something like the news of yesterday hits, it is hits some people hard, like being hit “with a hand of broken nails”.  Interestingly, one of my favorite Soundgarden songs is actually a cover of their song done by the one and only Johnny Cash. I thought it appropriate to print in here, and include a video of Johnny’s version.

Rest in peace, Chris. His death should remind us all of the silent warfare that rages in many lives.

Rusty Cage

You wired me awake
And hit me with a hand of broken nails
You tied my lead and pulled my chain
To watch my blood begin to boil

But I’m gonna break, I’m gonna break my
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

Yeah I’m gonna break, I’m gonna break my
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

Too cold to start a fire
I’m burning diesel burning dinosaur bones
I’ll take the river down to still water and ride a pack of dogs

But I’m gonna break, I’m gonna break my
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

Hit like a Phillips head into my brain
It’s gonna be too dark to sleep again
Cutting my teeth on bars and rusty chains
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

When the forest burns along the road
Like God’s eyes in my headlights
When the dogs are looking for their bones
And it’s raining ice picks on your steel shore

I’m gonna break, I’m gonna break my
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

I’m gonna break, I’m gonna break my
I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run

Written by Chris Cornell • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management US, LLC